In recognition of World Migratory Bird Day, I created the above watercolour painting of a Black-capped Chickadee using a photo I took today as a reference. I picked the Chickadee to paint because this sweet little bird is the Official Bird of Calgary. Calgary was one of the first cities in Canada to be declared a Bird Friendly City back in 2022. To be a Bird Friendly City, the city has to have an official bird. For the month of April in 2022, the city held a public vote to pick a bird. The candidates were: Black-capped Chickadee, Black-billed Magpie, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, Red-Breasted Nuthatch. The Chickadee won by a landslide with 44% of the votes and that included my vote. On May 14th of that year which was World Migratory Bird Day, the winner was announced. World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on the 2nd Saturday of May in Canada and the United States and on the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Today I spent three hours birding at Carburn Park and covered eleven kilometres. I arrived to this colourful sight with hopes of seeing many other colourful sights. It was warm already with not even a breeze. I could here songs and squabbles too. It was time to hit the trails alongside the ponds and into the forest then down by the river. I have included the majority of species I saw.
two of ten Mallard Ducklings
one of two Red-necked Grebes building a nest
Yellow Warbler
Red-tailed Hawk
Spotted Sandpiper
White-breasted Nuthatch
male Wood Duck
female Common Goldeneye
two American White Pelicans
male House Finch
Horned Grebes
Tree Swallow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Bald Eagle
This is the Carburn Bald Eagle watching towards the nest.
I could not see if the other Eagle was in the nest.
Canada Geese still in the nest high in the tree.
This is the photo I took of the Black-capped Chickadee which I used as a reference for the painting.
Seeing all of the above species, plus others that I did not include, seems fitting for World Migratory Bird Day. Many people were out and about at the Park on this beautiful day. I chatted with a few, sharing sights we saw and where we saw them. It's a day like this when I am excited to look on eBird and see what others saw at the same location and other locations. Chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dee what a day-day-day-day!
Alexandra, you are what I call a “prolific” blogger. I think my high school English teacher would be proud of me using a word he had on a list of what he called $5 words … we were supposed to incorporate all of those words into our vocabulary. When I say prolific about you, I mean you publish a lot and frequently at that. 😊 By all means, this is a compliment, and NOT a complaint. I mention it because in a week when I’m busy on projects not social media related, you published more wonderful stuff than I do in half a year. 😊 Anyway, I just looked at your posts since last Monday and they are ALL wonderful. I can’t get over the great photos you take and share with us. You are truly an excellent photographer! In today’s post I love your story about the Black-capped Chickadee, the Official Bird of Calgary. Wow, your art is excellent too! As time permits, I will try to go back and comment on your posts earlier this week. You are very artistic and creative and we are lucky to have you sharing with us. Have a great weekend and thank you for all you share! John
ReplyDeleteWhen the creativity flows, I just go with it and blogging is one of the enjoyable ways to share it!
DeleteI'm familiar with the migratory bird act but not Migratory bird day. You can learn something new every day.
ReplyDeleteI only learned about it when I got into birding!
DeleteHello Alexandra,
ReplyDeleteI love your Chickadee painting, it is special knowing that the Black-capped Chickadee is the official bird of Calgary. I would have voted for the Chickadee too! Your bird photography is beautiful, awesome sightings and captures of all the birds. It is hard to pick a favorite, I love them all. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy week ahead. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
There were loads of opportunities on this day to capture awesome photos. Have a lovely week!
DeleteWhat a day for the birds!
ReplyDeleteYet another lovely watercolour.
The birds are in full migratory swing these days!
DeleteAbsolutely wonderful! Your painting is so charming, and what a fantastic day of birding you had at Carburn Park. So many great sightings!
ReplyDeleteAfter checking eBird, I saw where others saw much more than I did which motivates me to go back.
DeleteWOW! Your painting is by far one of the best I have seen you do and the plethora of bird photos you captured is amazing. So many birds & so little time 🤣. Thanks for sharing the story about Calgary’s official bird - did not know that. ❤️Norma
ReplyDeleteI remember your first encounter with a Black-capped Chickadee when it dive-bombed your head at the Inglewood Sanctuary!
DeleteThe City of Kitchener is now a certified Bird Friendly City and we celebrated with many events on Saturday. I led walk in Victoria Park and gave a presentation on avian migration. Our city bird is Dark-eyed Junco.
ReplyDeleteThat is great that you made the day extra special for others with your led walk and presentation!
DeleteI love your painting, it's so cute!
ReplyDeleteThank You!
DeleteJust stopping by again to remind you ... tonight is the Full Flower Moon! Wishing you clear skies!
ReplyDeleteI did not get to see the Full Flower Moon!
DeleteLovely to see these birds, and I do like your painting.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It was an outing full of smiles seeing all the newly migrated species!
DeleteSuch a wonderful variety of bird life in your corner. Wonderful photos too. B x
ReplyDelete